Agrees with Bolman and Deal's observations concerning symbolic leadership in the same "Educational Administration Quarterly" issue. Points out some pitfalls of democracy--its tendency to promote conformity and undermine symbols. A society that commits itself to the democratic ideal must strive to organize its institutions accordingly and choose…

The issues of language (specifically, the English-only movement) and ethnic-based religion illustrate the ongoing democratic challenge of balancing individual with group needs. With increasing demographic diversity, America will have to find thoughtful and constructive ways to protect and set limits on both language and religious values. (MSE)

A survey of 266 residents of McLean County, Illinois, found that 91 percent believe technology makes life easier; 70 percent believe people are too technologically dependent; those with a history of political participation felt confident engaging in political activities regarding nuclear power, automation, and genetic engineering; and the public…

The demands made by diverse ethnic groups for inclusion in the curriculum will not go away. In oppressive societies, the mass media, entertainment, and schools are integral parts of information domination and manipulation process. Primary goal of pluralistic curriculum design is not concocting ethnic quotas but presenting a truthful, meaningful…

Defines "illegeracy," the key legacy of today's failed educational system, as the lack among students of the important cognitive and critical skills necessary for civic understanding. Provides examples of illegeracy among recent students. Suggests the pedagogical consequences of considering students as illegerate. (HB)

Draws on Wilhelm von Humboldt's typology of the active human being to debate the questions whether and how individuals can produce their social and political world. Discusses, with reference to Marie Condorcet and Immanuel Kant, procedures of the public that are necessary prerequisites for actions aimed at forming the world. (DSK)

Discusses four Romantic themes that are crucial to writing workshop practice (self-expression, liberation from convention, celebration of emotion, and a valuing of folk cultures), explaining how the writing workshop approach embodies these themes; summarizing criticisms of these approaches; sketching a conception of student voice that looks…

The Agenda for Education in a Democracy has focused on the simultaneous renewal of schooling and teacher education for children's well-being. Well-educated individuals easily acquire specific workplace skills when necessary. Educating for the future means educating broadly and deeply and valuing childhood for its own sake. (MLH)

Notes that taken together, Thomas Jefferson's contributions to the history of writing technology demonstrate a virtual "computer." Links Jefferson's development of writing technology to his democratic political philosophy. Argues that this link should interest writing teachers. Suggests that Jeffersonian optimism effectively counters…

Examines John Dewey's critique of idealism in his Quest for Certainty (1929) and other works, and argues that his case was overstated and pedagogically misleading. Proposes that Dewey's is an unnecessarily restrictive view, and one that has helped to cut out an epistemological orientation that had significant heuristic value for education.…

A study conducted by the Indiana Youth Institute ("De-Track Schools," 1991) indicts a tracking system that helps many academically talented students prepare for college, but fails to prepare noncollege-bound students for much of anything. Tracking, as typically practiced, benefits teachers, not students; is contradictory to American…

The authors debate religion's rightful role in public education. Losito argues that an unduly high, thick wall separates religion and public education; the curriculum has been sanitized of a constitutionally, pedagogically appropriate study of religious ideas and events. Gordon asserts that including religion in education would conflict with both…

Cooperation, not competition or individualism, is at the heart of forming a more perfect union, establishing justice, ensuring domestic tranquility, providing for the common defense, and securing the blessings of liberty for ourselves and our posterity. It's time to recognize the relationship between cooperative learning and commitment to the…

Describes the development of the Library Bill of Rights and adoption of revisions to it in 1948. As the McCarthy era unfolded, librarians aligned themselves with an ideology of pluralist democracy and championed intellectual freedom. Highlights include specific intellectual freedom cases of the time and the involvement of the American Library…

Discusses reason-driven, dichotomized attributes of the 20th Century. Asserts that the 21st Century should be the age of synthesis. To achieve that end, proposes three major tasks of education: Educating the whole person, building progressive self-identity, and developing strategies for productive conflict solution. (PKP)